Throughout his career, Vince Gill has done it all, which may be why he is constantly thinking outside the box with what he can do next.
Most recently, Gill has joined The Time Jumpers -- a Western Swing band. Gill and The Time Jumpers have a standing gig at Nashville's 3rd & Lindsley every Monday night where they fill the 500-capacity house week after week. Not only is it a fun experience for Gill, but it helps keep him at the top of his game.
"I joined The Time Jumpers because I liked the way they play," Gill recently explained to Nashville Scene. "And I knew it would make me a better guitar player. I may be 56, but I'm not afraid to say I want to get better. I grew up on Western swing in Texas and Oklahoma, and this was the first band in this part of the country that could play that music the right way. Like a great beer-joint band, they put the dance in the music. I'd go see them, then I started getting calls to sub for [guitarists] Ranger Doug or Andy [Reiss]. I'd come home with 30 or 50 dollars in my pocket, and be happy."
Through the experience, Gill finds himself working closely with one of Nashville's top session players, Paul Franklin. They most recently joined forces on another musical project titled Bakersfield. An album filled with Buck Owens and Merle Haggard hits. The idea for the album developed after seeing the crowds reaction when Gill would sing Haggard or Owens' hits with The Time Jumpers.
"People would go crazy," Gill says. "I told Paul, 'There's something going on here that we should pursue.'"
Look for Bakersfield in stores now.
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